Mixer valve having a ball valve element

ABSTRACT

A ball type mixer valve (20) has a housing (25) and a ball valve element (11) mounted for pivotable motion about a longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (25) and a second perpendicular axis (B) that is fixed with respect to the ball valve element (11). The ball valve element has a control stem (10) extending therefrom and a pin (15) extending at a substantially perpendicular angle from the control stem. Two distal ends (16 and 17) of pin (15) form pivots which are received in slots (7) formed in the valve housing to position the ball vertically in the housing and allow the motion of the ball about the two defined axes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a mixer valve for liquids incorporating a ballvalve element and more particularly to a ball valve mechanism that haspivotable motion about a fixed longitudinal axis of the valve body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Single handle faucets, commonly referred to as mixer valves, thatcontrol both hot and cold water flow have seen vast consumer acceptance.These faucets are commonly constructed such that a handle or knob ismovable in two distinct directions to adjust the mix of hot and coldwater and to adjust the volume or flow rate.

The two basic types of mixer valves that have seen widest commercialacceptance are plate valves and ball valves. While ball valves offer areliable one piece construction that is durable and easily assembled,plate valves offer a drive mechanism that allows motion of the handle intwo desirable directions that appears to be universally accepted by theconsumer. This desirable handle motion allows for an orbiting motion ofthe handle about a fixed longitudinal axis of the valve body and arocking, i.e. pivoting, motion about a movable horizontal axis relativeto the valve body. The horizontal axis is fixed with respect to thehandle and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve body.The one distinguishing characteristic of this type of handle motion isthat when the handle is pivoted to an off position, the desired mixratio of hot and cold water can be remembered by the location of thehandle so that when the faucet is turned back on, the same mix of hotand cold water flows through the faucet.

Recently, ball valves have been devised that allow the handle to beoperated in the same fashion as the commercially accepted plate typemixer valve. These ball type mixer valves require the introduction ofanother moving part in the form of a rotatable plate mounted above theball valve element. Furthermore, these ball valves have been combinedwith plate devices which can be adjustably positioned about a coveropening through which the handle controls the ball valve to limit thetotal flow rate. Alternately or in addition, these limiting deviceslimit the maximum ratio of hot water to cold water and consequentiallythe maximum temperature of the mixed water at the outlet.

Various disadvantages arise when a ball valve is constructed such thatits stem moves similarly to most plate type mixer valves. In particular,the ball valve element is mounted between elastomeric inlet sealspositioned about the inlet ports of the vale body and a sealing gasketthat is mounted under the valve cover or cap. The elastomeric inletseals and gasket are all yielding and render a floating characteristicto the ball valve element between the valve body and cap. There is nopositive lock or locator mechanism that securely positions the ballvalve in place. Because the ball valve can be moved in a translationalmanner against the elastomeric elements, the operator when operating thehandle can also move the handle a small amount in any directionincluding directions not contemplated in the design of the mixing valve.This unwanted motion renders a undesirable spongy feel to the operationof the faucet and an uncertainty to the operator as to the properoperation of the faucet. Furthermore, the spongy feel of the handlegives the impression that the handle is unstable and not assembledproperly.

In order to reduce these disadvantages, a regulation ring has beenincorporated in many ball valve mixing valves. The regulation ring isadjustably screwed onto the valve cap. The regulation ring pushes thesealing gasket downward against the ball valve element which in turn ispressed against the inlet seals. The downward placement of the sealinggasket and ball valve element reduces the undesirable motion but doesnot eliminate it. Furthermore, the combining of the regulation ring withknown guide mechanisms which limit the handle's directional movement andwith plate devices which limit the flow rate and temperature is undulycomplicated and expensive.

What is needed is a ball valve type mixer valve that duplicates thehandle motion of known plate valves that provide for swinging of thehandle about the longitudinal axis of the valve body while retaining theadvantage of having only one movable piece to operate the valve, inother words, without the introduction of a separate moving part. What isalso needed is a ball valve assembly of the described type thateliminates the need for a regulation ring and provides for a valve thateliminates the possibility of the handle moving in a fashion that isdifferent from that needed for its proper operation.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a mixer valve forliquids has a ball valve pivotably mounted in a valve receiving cavityof a housing. The cavity is in fluid communication with a plurality ofinlet ports and at least one outlet port. The ball valve has at least apartially spherical surface and a plurality of openings in said surface.The openings cooperate with the ports to control fluid flow through theports. The valve housing has a control opening with the longitudinalaxis of the valve housing passing through the control opening. The ballvalve has a first projection extending through the control opening andfunctions as a control stem or valve handle. The ball valve has a secondprojection extending therefrom and engages a slot in the valve body. Theslot and second projection are positioned and angled such that the ballvalve is constrained to pivotable motion about the longitudinal axis andabout an axis perpendicular to one longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the second projection is perpendicular to the firstprojection with its axis intersecting the center of the ball valve. Theslot is formed between a valve base member and valve cover and has itsaxis lying in a plane perpendicular to handle the longitudinal axis ofthe valve housing.

According to another aspect of the invention, a ball valve has at leasta partially spherical valve surface. The ball valve has a firstprojection extending therefrom for driving the ball valve when mountedin a valve housing. One of the ball valve or housing has a secondprojection extending therefrom that is constructed to constrain themotion of the ball valve in certain directions when mounted in a valvehousing. In one embodiment the second projection is formed by a pinpassing through the ball valve and having at least one distal endpositioned to the exterior of the at least partially spherical valvesurface. In one embodiment the pin has two distal ends projecting to theexterior of the valve surface and being positioned one hundred andeighty degrees apart on the valve surface. The pin passes through thecenter of the ball valve. Each pin end is received in a horizontallydisposed slot of the housing. Each slot is perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the valve housing. Preferably, the pin iscylindrical and is pivotable within the horizontal slots. The slots havea width and the pin has a diameter that provides relatively littleclearance along the direction of the valve longitudinal axis such thatthe ball valve is fixed with respect to the valve housing along thelongitudinal axis.

In accordance with a broader aspect of the invention, one of the ballvalve and valve housing includes a mechanism affixed thereto thatconstrains the motion of the ball valve element with respect to thevalve housing about a longitudinal axis of the housing and about an axisof the ball valve that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

According to another aspect of the invention, a ball valve is receivedin a valve cavity defined by upper and lower valve body members thatform a cartridge that is receivable in a valve base member. The valvelower body member has at least two inlet ports each having an axis thatintersects the center of the ball valve. The lower valve body member hasa lower surface that lies in a contour surface which intersects thelongitudinal axes of the ports at a perpendicular angle. Preferably, thecontour has a frustum shape and the valve base member has acomplementarily shaped surface to seat the lower outer surface of thelower body member. The base member has inlet ports and an outlet portaligned with respective ports of the lower valve body member. Thecartridge has the two slots defined between the junction of the lowerand upper body members. The ball valve has a pin passing therethroughand engaging the two slots.

With the above mentioned arrangement, the ball valve element is allowedto freely rotate around the axis of the cylindrical pin when the controlstem is tilted. The ball valve is also allowed to rotate about thelongitudinal axis of the valve housing when the control stem issimilarly rotated. On the other hand, the ball valve member cannotvertically move due to the small clearance between the slot and pin.This arrangement eliminates any rocking motion of the handle in adirection other than in its intended fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational and segmented view of a mixer valveillustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational and segmented view of another embodimentdisclosing a cartridge for a mixer valve;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the lower body member shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational and segmented view of the cartridge shownin FIG. 3 installed in a valve base member;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the valve base member shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 disclosing a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an exploded and schematic view of a ball valve element shownin FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 disclosing a second embodiment ofthe ball valve element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mixing valve 20 includes a valve housing25 that is formed from a lower base member 1 and a cover 5. The basemember has two inlet ports 2 and 3 for hot and cold water and has anoutlet port 4 for the passage of mixed water. The cover 5 is screwedonto the base member 1 to form a valve cavity 26 that is substantiallyspherical in shape to receive a ball valve element 11. The valve housinghas a longitudinal axis A that passes through the cavity 26.

The ball valve element 11 has a substantially spherical valve surface 27with openings 12, 13 and 14 therethrough which cooperate with the inletports 2 and 3 and outlet port 4 respectfully to regulate the passage ofwater from the two inlet ports 2 and 3 to the outlet port 4 byregulating the mixture ratio from the two inlet ports 2 and 3 and theflow rate, i.e. volume of total water per unit time. The valve cover 5has a control opening 6 therethrough. The cover 5 is positioned suchthat the longitudinal axis A of the housing passes through the controlopening 6. A control stem 10 extends through the control opening 6. Thecontrol stem 10 is fixedly connected to the ball valve element 11. Thecontrol stem 10 is constructed to be attached to a faucet handle (notshown) in a conventional fashion. The downstream ends of ports 2 and 3are counter-bored to form a seat for two biasing springs 32 and 33 whichbias tubular elastomeric sealing elements 22 and 23 against the ballvalve surface 27. A sealing gasket 35 is interposed between the ballvalve 11 and the valve cover 5 about control opening 6.

The ball valve element 11 also has a cylindrical pin 15 extendingtherethrough with its distal ends 16 and 17 positioned to the exteriorof valve surface 27. The pin 15 is positioned to intersect the center 28of ball valve 11 and lie perpendicular to control stem 10. The pin canbe welded in place as described in more detail later. Each distal end 16and 17 is positioned in a circumferentially disposed slot 7 formedbetween base member 1 and cover 5. Each slot 7 has a central axisdisposed in a plane perpendicular to axis A. Because the ends 16 and 17are cylindrical in shape, they have a circular cross-section that allowsthem to pivot in slots 7. The base member 1 has an upright collar 8 thatis milled out at two circumferential positions. The circumferential ends18 of the collar sections 8 form stop shoulders 18 for the distal ends16 and 17. An angular ring 9 having a circumferential wall 34 and flattop wall 38 is placed over the collar 8 and distal ends 16 and 17. Thering 9 is retained in place by cover 5. Ring 9 and base member 1 may beconstructed such that ring 9 snap fits onto base member 1. The slots 7are vertically dimensioned to form only enough clearance to allowsliding movement of the pin 15 in slot 7. Desirably no vertical spacingexists between slot 7 and the ends 16 and 17. A conventional ring seal31 is operably interposed between the base member 1 and cover 5.

The cylindrical distal ends 16 and 17 form a pivot axis B for ball valveelement that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of valvehousing 25. Rocking of the control stem along a plane containing thelongitudinal axis A pivots the ball valve element 11 about the pivotaxis B independently of the rotated position of the ball valve memberabout axis A. Furthermore, the distal ends 16 and 17 may slide alongslots 7 to allow the ball valve element 11 to rotate about axis A whenthe control stem 10 is swung about the longitudinal axis A.

The rotation of the ball valve element 11 about axis A is limited by theposition of the stop shoulders 18 that abut the distal ends 16 and 17.Mixer valves having different applications may have different rotationangles established by the circumferential positioning of stop shoulders18. The rotation of the ball valve element 11 as illustrated adjusts theratio mix and thus the temperature of the discharged mixed water. Asshown in FIG. 2, the distal ends 16 and 17 extend radially beyond collar8 and end adjacent the circumferential wall 34 of angular ring 9.Alternately, the circumferential wall 34 or the upper wall 38 of theangle ring 9 may have the stop shoulders 18 affixed thereto. The ring 9may be adjustably positioned in place to adjust the rotational extent oftravel of ball valve element 11 about axis A. The stop shoulders 18 mayextend radially inward from the circumferential wall 34 or dependdownwardly from the upper wall 38 of angular ring 9 to abut ends 16 and17. p The minimum clearance between ends 16 and 17 and slots 7 in thevertical direction prevents vertical displacement of the ball valveelement 11 with respect to the valve housing 25. Consequently, thecontrol stem does not show any instability or render a spongy feel tothe operator when the ball is pivoted along its two prescribed pivotabledirections. The need for a regulation ring intended to push down gasket35 and ball valve element 11 is eliminated. Furthermore, any movableguide ring member that has previously been needed in control opening 6to limit the degrees of motion of the control stem 10 is alsoeliminated.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a cartridge 30 for the invention whichmay be assembled in a valve housing 25 adapted to receive a cartridge30. The cartridge 30 is formed from a lower body member 41 and upperbody member 45 which may be manufactured from known plastic materialsuitable for faucet applications. The upper body member 45 is connectedto the lower body member in known fashion such as screwing, snapfitting, or welding. The lower body member has cylindrical inlet ports43 and 45 passing straight through a bottom section of the lower bodymember. The axes C and D of the ports 43 and 45 intersect the center 28of the ball valve element 11. The lower body member also has a outletduct 54 passing therethrough. The lower body member has a lower surface36 that has a frustum shape. The inlet ports 43 and 45 and outlet duct54 pass through lower frustum surface 36. The axes C and D intersect thefrustum contour at a perpendicular angle. By having cylindrical ports 43and 45 being perpendicular to frustum shaped surface 36 and arranged tointersect the center of ball valve element 11, the axes C and D of theports 43 and 45 also intersect the contour of the cavity surface 37 at aright angle and provides conventional circular seal rings 22 and 23 andsprings 32 and 33 to be operable within ports 43 and 45. The ports arestraight with no bends and are easily molded into a body member 41 madefrom plastic.

Ports 42 and 43 are counter-bored to seat packing seals 52 and 53. Thelower body member 41 has a peripheral upstanding circumferential wall 44that has thin sections 51 and radially thicker sections 48. The thickersections 48 form stop shoulders 50 at circumferential ends of slots 47that are positioned radially inside the thin sections 51. Pin 15 of ballvalve element 11 has a length to fit between the opposing thin sections51 with only a slight clearance.

The slot 47 has its upper side defined by a flat ring 49 that ispositioned at the top of peripheral wall 44 and interposed between lowerbody member 41 and upper body member 45. Control opening 46 passesthrough the upper body member 45. The cartridge 30, as shown in FIG. 6,is received in valve housing 26 which includes a valve base member 1 andcap 5. The outlet port 44 of cartridge 30 is aligned with port 4 in basemember 1 and inlet ports 42 and 43 are aligned with inlet ports 2 and 3.The packing seals 52 and 53 create sealed inlet passages between thebase member 1 and cartridge 30. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the basemember 41 has a frustum shaped surface 39 which seats the frustum shapedsurface 36 of the lower body member 41. The surfaces 36 and 39 may haveother complementary shapes other than a frustum as long as the contourintersects the axes C and D at substantially right angles.

An optional plate device 61 is mounted above the upper body member 45 tolimit the angular displacement of ball valve element 11 and thecorresponding movement of the control stem for limiting the maximumtemperature and/or the maximum flow rate which may be discharged throughoutlet port 4. The known plate device 61 can be mounted by a retainingring 62 which is screwed onto the upper body member 45.

In certain applications, it may be desirable to continue use of aregulation ring 70 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The regulation ring can beused where compensation is needed for possible defects in manufacturingtolerances. The control opening 76 in this embodiment extends throughthe regulation ring 70 which in turn is threaded onto the upper bodymember 45. The regulation ring when adjustably screwed into upper bodymember 45 presses down on sealing gasket 35 which abuts against ballvalve element 11. The plate device 61 with its retaining ring 62 is alsousable with the regulation ring. The retaining ring 62 is screwed ontothe regulation ring 70.

Other variations are possible. It is foreseen that a plate device 61 orregulation ring 70 may be applied to a non-cartridge type valve andattached to the cover 5 rather that the upper body member 45. It is alsoforeseen that stop shoulders which limit the rotation of the ball valveabout the longitudinal axis A may be incorporated into the cover 5 orupper body member 45. In such cases the ring 9 or ring 49 may beomitted.

The ball valve element may be constructed also in several foreseen ways.The pivot projections 16 and 17 may be separate members that are weldedor otherwise adhered to the ball valve. The preferred method ofinserting a pin 15 through the ball valve element offer severaladvantages. The pin needs to extend through corresponding holes 18 inthe ball valve element. These holes may be drilled. However FIGS. 9 and10 illustrate two ways which eliminate the need for drilling. FIG. 9illustrates a ball valve member constructed from two drawn halves 56 and58 that are then coupled together by welding. The bottom half 58 ispreferably made from stainless steel. The mating edges 57 and 59 of eachhalf include a pair of semi-circular notches 63 and 64 that when alignedand mated together form holes 18. The cylindrical stem 15 may be fixedin place by welding, press fit, adhesion or may be left free to pivotabout in holes 18.

The modification shown in FIG. 10 shows a deeper notch 65 shown in lowerhalf 58 only. This notch is deep enough to receive the cylindrical pin15. In this fashion, the upper half 56 does not need to be notched.Because the equatorial region of the ball valve element 11 is notoperative for valve purposes, the region may be distorted for assemblypurposes into a cylindrical region that may have a radius smaller thatthe radius of the spherical portion of the valve surface.

In this fashion, an effective guide for a ball type mixer valve isinexpensively and simply incorporated in the valve. The inventionobviates the disadvantages due to the floating characteristic ofpreviously known ball valves and eliminates the installationdifficulties of regulation plates and other plate devices needed inpreviously known ball type mixer valves. In addition, a ball type mixervalve can have its control stem move in the same fashion as known platevalves with one of the degrees of free movement being about thelongitudinal axis of the valve housing without the addition of anyseparate moving parts. Furthermore, the ball type mixer valve accordingto the above described construction provides for a valve that can beeasily modified to limit the maximum temperature or maximum flow ratesby slight constructive modification in an economical manner.

Other variations and modifications are possible within the scope of theforegoing disclosure, drawings, and claims without departing from thespirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The embodiments in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. In a mixer valve for liquids having a ball valve pivotably mounted in a valve receiving cavity of a housing body, said body having a plurality of ports in fluid communication with said cavity, said ball valve having a plurality of openings in an outer at least partially spherical valve surface, said openings cooperating with said ports to control liquid flow through said ports, said valve body having a control opening therethrough with a longitudinal axis of said valve body passing through said control opening, said ball valve having a first projection in the form of a control stem connected thereto and extending through said control opening, the improvement comprising:one of said valve body and said ball valve having a second projection extending therefrom and engaging a slot in the other of said valve body and said ball valve, said second projection and slot being positioned and angled such that said ball valve is constrained to pivotable motion about said longitudinal axis and about an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
 2. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 1 further comprising:said second projection extending from said ball valve.
 3. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 2 further comprising:said second projection being formed by a distal end of a pin that passes through said ball valve.
 4. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 2 further comprising:said slot being recessed in said valve body and having its central longitudinal axis disposed in a plane that is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
 5. In a mixing valve as defined in claim 4 further comprising:said pin being rigidly affixed to said ball valve.
 6. In a mixing valve as defined in claim 4 further comprising:said valve body including a valve cap being connected to a valve base member; said valve cap having said access control opening therethrough; said slot being defined between a junction of said valve cap and said valve base member; and said slot having a limited circumferential direction about said longitudinal axis of said valve body with shoulders at circumferential ends of said slot to define stops for movement of said second projection about said longitudinal axis.
 7. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 6 further comprising:said shoulders being formed by an annular upright collar of said valve base member having inwardly extending shoulders.
 8. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 6 further comprising:said shoulders being formed by a partially annular collar extending upright from said valve base member to said access control opening with circumferential ends of said collar being spaced apart to partially form said slot therebetween with opposing circumferential ends of said collar forming said shoulders to define said stops for said second projection.
 9. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 1 further comprising:said mixer valve being in cartridge form with a cartridge having a lower body member and upper body member connected together and defining said cavity for said ball valve; and said cartridge being received in a valve base member and retained therein by a valve cap member.
 10. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 9 further comprising:said lower body member having two inlet ports and an outlet port, each of said inlet ports having a longitudinal axis intersecting the center of said ball valve; and said lower valve body member having a lower outer surface with a contour such that a central axis of each inlet port intersects said lower outer surface contour at a perpendicular angle.
 11. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 10 further comprising:said lower outer surface being frustum shaped; said valve base member having a complementarily shaped surface to seat said lower outer surface; said valve base member having inlet ports and an outlet port in fluid aligned with the respective ports of said lower valve body member; and a seal operably positioned about each inlet and outlet port and interposed between said valve base member and said valve lower body member to form sealed passages through said valve base member and valve lower body member.
 12. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 9 further comprising:said slot being formed between said lower and upper valve body members; and said second projection extending from said ball valve.
 13. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 12 further comprising:a plate device constructed for limiting the control field of the valve being mounted to said upper body member of said cartridge.
 14. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 9 further comprising:a regulation ring constructed to control the pressure exerted on a gasket interposed between the ring and the ball valve being mounted on said upper valve body.
 15. In a mixer valve in accordance to claim 14 further comprising:said regulation ring having a mounting means for mounting a plate device constructed for limiting the control field of the valve.
 16. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 1 further comprising:a plate device constructed for limiting the control field of the valve being mounted in said access control opening.
 17. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 1 further comprising:a regulation ring constructed to control the pressure exerted on a gasket interposed between the ring and the ball valve being mounted about said access control opening.
 18. In a mixer valve in accordance to claim 17 further comprising:said regulation ring having a mounting means for mounting a plate device that is constructed for limiting the control field of the valve.
 19. In a ball valve for a mixer valve, said ball valve comprising:a substantially spherical shaped valve surface; a plurality of openings in said valve surface and in fluid communication with each other; a first projection extending from said valve surface and located at a fixed location on said valve surface for driving said ball valve when mounted in a valve body; a second projection extending from said valve surface and located at a fixed location on said valve surface for constraining motion of said ball valve when mounted in a valve body; and said second projection being formed by a pin passing through said ball comprising having at least one distal end positioned to the exterior of the spherical valve surface.
 20. In a ball valve as defined in claim 19 further comprising:said pin being rigidly affixed to said ball valve.
 21. In a ball valve as defined in claim 19 further comprising:said second projection being positioned perpendicular to said first projection and extending from said ball substantially at 90 degrees from the position of said first projection.
 22. In a ball valve as defined in claim 21 further comprising:said second projection formed by a pin passing through said ball valve and centrally positioned to pass through the center of said ball valve and being perpendicular to said first projection; and said pin having at least one distal end positioned to the exterior of the spherical valve surface.
 23. A ball valve cartridge for a mixer valve comprising:a lower body member and upper body member constructed to be connected together; said lower body member having an internal partially spherical valve surface which forms a ball valve receiving cavity in conjunction with said upper valve body member; said lower body member having at least two straight inlet ports therethrough, said ports being positioned below the center of said ball valve and each having a longitudinal axis intersecting the center of said ball valve cavity; and said lower body member having a lower outer surface with a contour and positioned such that said axes of said straight inlet ports intersect said contour at a perpendicular angle.
 24. In a ball valve cartridge for a mixer valve as defined in claim 23 further comprising:said lower outer surface being frustum shaped; and said inlet ports being straight and free of bends in said lower body member.
 25. In a ball valve cartridge for a mixer valve as defined in claim 24 further comprising:said lower and upper body members define a slot at a junction therebetween; and said slot sized to receive a distal end of a pin extending from a ball valve when seated in said ball valve receiving cavity.
 26. In a ball valve cartridge for a mixer valve as defined in claim 25 further comprising:a ball valve member having a control stem extending outwardly therefrom and through a control opening in said upper body member; and said ball valve member having a pin extending therefrom at a substantially perpendicular position from said control stem and being received in said slot of said cartridge.
 27. In a ball valve cartridge for a mixer valve as defined in claim 26 further comprising:said pin being affixed to said ball valve member; and said distal end of said pin being circular in cross section to be pivotable in said slot.
 28. In a mixer valve for liquids having a ball valve pivotably mounted in a valve receiving cavity of a housing, said housing having a plurality of ports in fluid communication with said cavity, said ball valve having a plurality of openings in an outer at least partially spherical valve surface, said openings cooperating with said ports to control liquid flow through said ports, said valve housing having a control opening therethrough with a longitudinal axis of said valve housing passing through said control opening, said ball valve having a first projection in the form of a control stem connected thereto and extending through said control opening, the improvement comprising:means affixed to the valve housing and ball valve and cooperating with each other for constraining pivotable motion of the ball valve with respect to the valve housing about said longitudinal axis of said housing and about an axis of said ball valve that is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis without the addition of any third member that is movable with respect to both the ball valve and housing.
 29. In a mixer valve as defined in claim 28 further comprising:stop means for limiting the pivotable motion about the two axes.
 30. In a ball valve as defined in claim 19 further comprising:said plurality of openings in communication with a substantially hollow interior of said ball valve; and said pin extending through said hollow interior.
 31. In a ball valve as defined in claim 30 further comprising:said substantially spherical shaped valve surface comprising a first and second drawn halves being welded together along opposing edges thereof; each half having a mating edge with a pair of diametrically opposed semi-circular notches such that when the first half is mated with the second half, holes are formed that receive said pin therethrough.
 32. A mixing valve for a faucet characterized by:a faucet body having a cartridge receiving chamber; a replaceable cartridge being seated in the chamber of the faucet body, said cartridge having a ball valve receiving cavity; a ball valve pivotably mounted in the ball valve receiving cavity of said cartridge; said cartridge having at least two inlet ports passing straight therethrough and free of bends with each port having a longitudinal axis intersecting the center of said ball valve cavity; said cartridge having a lower outer surface with a contour and positioned such that said axes of said inlet ports intersect the lower surface contoured at a perpendicular angle; said faucet body having fluid inlets passing therethrough and having a surface complementarily shaped with respect to the lower surface of the cartridge such that the axes of each fluid inlet is angled at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the complementarily shaped surface of the faucet body and seats the cartridge lower surface; said fluid inlets of the faucet body being in fluid communication with respective inlet ports in the cartridge with a seal being positioned about a respective inlet port at a junction of the faucet body with the cartridge to form inlet passages that are bent at the junction of the faucet body with the cartridge.
 33. A mixing valve as defined in claim 32 further comprising:said cartridge being formed by a upper body member and a lower body member constructed to be connected together; said lower and upper body members define a slot at a connection line therebetween; said slot sized to receive a distal end of a pin extending from said ball valve when seated in said ball valve receiving cavity. 